Comma Sense RULE 1 Use a comma after every item in a series except the last one Example I went to the store to pick up milk bread and peanut butter RULE 1 I watch The Big Bang Theory Modern Family ID: 767041
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"Comma Sense"
RULE # 1: Use a comma after every item in a series (except the last one.) Example: I went to the store to pick up milk , bread and peanut butter.
RULE #1. I watch The Big Bang Theory Modern Family and Adventure Time.
Rule #1 We rode our bicycles to the park , bought snacks at Gus’s and then played soccer for an hour. The silly cat ran through the living room , over the sofa , between my feet and out the door.
Rule # 1 - Exceptions If all items in a series are joined by and, or, or nor, do not use a comma. I need tacks and nails and a hammer. Sam or Carlos or Yvette will be able to babysit tomorrow. Neither horses nor elephants nor giraffes are carnivorous.
Adj. Adj. Noun. The juicy, delicious orange is on the counter. Rule #2 Use commas between two or more adjectives that modify the same noun.
Rule # 2 adj. a dj. noun The tal l , good looking fellow crossed the street. Say the sentence by adding “ ANDS ”. If it makes sense, then you need the commas. The tall and good looking fellow crossed the street. COMMAS NEEDED
Rule # 2 - Exceptions The little old lady crossed the street. NOW – try to add, “ ANDS ” The little and old lady crossed the street. NO COMMA NEEDED.
Rule # 3 – Put commas around both sides of EXTRA or UNNECESSARY information in a sentence. The extra information is called an appositive. appositive Mike , my neighbor, is a Packers fan. Take out “ my neighbor ” and you still have a complete sentence that makes sense. Mike is a Packers fan.
Rule #3 - Exception In order to use commas, the appositive must be ADDED or EXTRA information in the sentence – meaning the sentence does not need the appositive to make sense. WHAT?
Holly’s brother, who is a senior , works part time at McDonalds. [Holly has only one brother. He works at McDonalds. He is a senior.] If you take out – who is a senior – the meaning of the sentence does not change. Holly’s brother works part time at McDonalds.
BUT – consider this… Holly’s brother who is a senior works part time at McDonalds. Without the comma, we KNOW that Holly has more than one brother. Her brother who is a senior works part time at McDonalds. The reader needs to know WHICH brother, because there is more than one.
Let’s try it together. Put the beginning, the appositive, and the end together to make a sentence. (Hint – look for end punctuation) Does this sentence need commas? Ms. Dunham a football fan was glad Iowa beat Minnesota on Saturday .
YES! This sentence needs commas because “a football fan” is UNNECESSARY information! Ms. Dunham a football fan was glad Iowa beat Minnesota on Saturday .
Now, let’s put this sentence together. Does this sentence need commas? Last year a ctor Eddie Redmayne w on the Oscar for Best Actor for his amazing performance in The Theory of Everything.
Does this sentence need a comma? Last year a ctor Eddie Redmayne w on the Oscar for Best Actor for his amazing performance in The Theory of Everything.
NOPE! Take out the appositive – if the sentence doesn’t make sense without it – you don’t need a comma! Last year w on the Oscar for Best Actor for his amazing performance in The Theory of Everything.
PRACTICE In your group, take all of the sentence pieces out of the sandwich bag and lay them on the table. Join a beginning, an appositive, and an end to make complete sentences. Add commas where needed. When finished and checked, glue them on to your group’s paper. Make sure all names from your group are included. There is ONE sentence in each bag that will not need commas because ALL the information is essential for that sentences.
A complete sentence or thought. An independent clause is complete all by itself. B – BUT O – OR Y – YET F – FOR A – AND N - NOR conjunctions Independent Clauses
Independent Clauses I want to go to the movie. I have a lot of chores. Jimmy lied to me. I’m not sure we are friends anymore.
Rule # 4 - Use a comma before a conjunction that joins independent clauses I want to go to the movie , but I had a lot of chores. Jimmy lied to me , so I’m not sure we are friends anymore. (What kind of sentence is this?)
EXAMPLE
Rule # 5 - Use commas to set off nouns of direct address. Direct Address can come at the beginning OR end of a sentence. Dad, why can’t I go to the movies tonight? Ladies and gentlemen , may I have your attention? It was a pleasure to meet you , Sir.
Comma Rule # 6 – Use commas to separate dates, addresses, salutations, and for closing letters. Dear Aunt Jane, My address is 1234, Leisure Lane, East Troy, Wisconsin. Sincerely, Today is November 14, 2013.
Rule # 7 Use commas @ the beginning or end of DIALOGUE. NOTE: the only exception to this would be if a question mark or exclamation is used for the spoken lines. Examples: "I cannot believe this is a rule , " Teddy complained. Becky shouted , "Deal with it, Teddy!"